An HO I been working with for months to build a deck now wants to build a wood deck vs. a concrete one. For the wood she has chosen to use Brazilian IPE wood which touts itself as a durable weather resistant wood product harvested in the Tropics.
The manufacturer states that proper ventilation is required in order to prevent cupping of the boards once installed. The problem here is the HO wants the lower part of their deck to stay dry as it will become a lower patio for them and they want one of those deck gutter systems to install between the deck joists or to the undersides of the joists. To me this is a huge red flag because while the air flow and ventilation will be superb on the top of the deck boards, you’ve now enclosed the underside of the boards to a markedly restricted airflow/ventilation and in my eyes the cupping becomes likely. At $4/LnFt that can turn into a heck of an expensive ugly deck and guess who’l get blamed for it? The HO says we can install “vent grills” on the undersides of the joist bays to let air in. Still, you have restricted airflow, i see the cupping problem as still potential.
Ideas and thoughts?
Replies
They got about a half dozen ipe threads going right now and cupping has never been brought up and I have never experienced it.
Linear expansion popping screws up in the Northwest and hidden fastener problems out East.
I installed about 5000sf and have about 10,000sf more looking for a project. The biggest complaint I have is the weathered finish.
The deck looks so nice with that wet furniture finish when your through, but weathers to a silver pantina in about 6 months in this harsh south Louisiana sun.
Check out some of the other threads on IPE to catch other problems and solutions.
Friends built an Ipe deck and installed corrigated panels beneath to catch the rain. Bottom line, the decking swelled badly and pulled out (they had installed the Ebty system). After ruining a number of the Ipe boards, they removed the panels and haven't had a problem since.
For what its worth.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Nick did they anticipate this problem beforehand and install any type of auxilliary venting in the rain gutter system? Or did they just install the rain gutter system with no additional venting whatsoever?If at first you don't succeed, try using a hammer next time...everything needs some extra persuasion from time to time. -ME
No additional venting. The builder figured venting thru the decking would be enough. But as the rain came down, the boards swelled, eventually to the point of blowing thru the screws as they butted against each other.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
So, the HO wants wood to be exposed to the elements on one side and have almost constant moisture exposure on the other side. Hhmmm....
This is demonstrative as one of the reasons contractors loose money and/ or get a bad reputation - We get stuck in problem-solving-mode and accept the burden of inventing a solution (at our own expense) rather than tell the HO that what is desired is unacheivable.
Try going to a stock broker and telling them you want to make an investment in something which has a guarenteed, high yeild return but has little or zero risk. They won't tell you "Let me make some calls and see if I could find one." Instead they say "That would be nice, but doesn't exist."
We, as professionals bear the responsibility to the Client and OURSELVES to inform the Client of the inherant limitations of building materials. Sure, it is nice to be the hero and awful to be the bearer of bad news but we should not address these situations in those terms.
Don't take it personally - It's business. It's being a true Professional. Sometimes we have to tell Clients things they don't want to hear or refuse to accept. State your reservations, experience and/ or position in writing and move on or accept the work with the proviso that there is no warranty - implied or otherwise. The Client bears full responsibility for the result. It is not your to sweat.
Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Willie,
There are a few rain gutter systems that claim to allow for air flow beneath the deck planks. I'm sorry to say that I can't remember a single example, but I have spoken with some products reps about it personally. Point is: there are companies that make a product to fit your needs, you may have to do a bit of googling to get there though...
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial